Cost cutting can only take a business so far, and with tough times set to continue for mining services contractors, innovation and diversification have a big role to play. Click through to see more on our Mining Services feature.
The state government has announced a $40 million package to reduce charges at the Utah Point bulk handling facility by up to $2.50 per tonne, in an effort to help junior miners continue to export iron ore.
Iron ore miner Mineral Resources is pressing ahead with plans for innovative ‘skyrail' and trans-shipping projects in the Pilbara, saying that together they can cut $25 per tonne off its operating costs.
Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has set himself an ambitious goal, telling shareholders he wants to more than double the number of women on the company's board over the next two years.
Price and production uncertainty over a range of commodities is flowing through to port investments, with enthusiasm for development taking a back seat to pragmatism.
Only four out of Western Australia's top 20 companies currently meet a gender target set by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, which wants women to fill 30 per cent of board positions on S&P/ASX 200 companies within three years.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has applauded state government plans to review charges for the Utah Point bulk export facility at Port Hedland but wants the review extended to other ports.
Listed companies from Western Australia are on the outer in the most recent quarterly reshuffle of the S&P Dow Jones ASX Indices, with high-profile absentees including Iluka Resources, Mineral Resources and Monadelphous Group.
The financial incentives for higher cost mid-tier miners to either share infrastructure or merge is at an all-time high, according to accounting firm EY.
Mineral Resources has highlighted its focus on its services business, including the development of innovative bulk transport solutions, after reporting interim results that were dragged down by its iron ore mining operations.
Mid-tier iron ore miner Mineral Resources has criticised port charges after digging into its stockpiles to export 2.8 million tonnes in the December quarter.
Atlantic is using a big insurance payout to rebuild the Windimurra vanadium plant nearly a year after a fire forced the project to shut down, but the company still faces major operational and financial challenges.
BC Iron has announced it is working with Mineral Resources on potential new investments at the Iron Valley mining operation in the Pilbara, to improve its commercial viability.
The tougher business climate has prompted some WA companies to cut executive salaries, but most have held the line and some have even awarded pay rises.
In its latest push for greater conservation in mining regions, the Environmental Protection Agency has classified a proposed Mineral Resources iron ore project in the Yilgarn as 'environmentally unacceptable'.
Workplace injury rates in WA have fallen despite the heavy influx of workers to construction projects. In fact, mining is behind retail trade in terms of injuries.
International aluminium producer Alcoa has joined a number of companies fined for workplace deaths this year, today receiving a $68,000 fine for a fatality at its Wagerup refinery five years ago.
Banksia Capital founding director Mark Dutton will not seek re-election as non-executive director of Mineral Resources at the company's annual meeting next month, with the board currently consideri
Iron Ore Holdings confirmed today that its second-largest shareholder 3rd Wave Investors, Brettney and Annie Fogarty's investment vehicle, has accepted BC Iron's $256 million takeover bid for IOH.
Iron ore prices may have softened significantly from about $US130 a tonne during the past year, but that has not stopped local miners ramping up exports.
Mid-tier iron ore miner Mineral Resources has increased its full-year net profit by 28 per cent to $231 million, with the help of a 93 per cent increase in iron ore export volumes.
Mid-tier iron ore miner Mineral Resources' $70 million investment in six new trains has kicked off its stated 20-year commitment to the Yilgarn region.
Driving up the Great Northern Hwy from Midland to Port Hedland, you can't help but marvel at the number of trucks on the road – and be concerned about what lies ahead for wheatbelt communities after the closure of the ‘tier 3' rail lines.
Baosteel and Aurizon are set to take control of Aquila Resources after another major shareholder threw their support behind the $1.4 billion takeover deal.
Aquila Resources' share price has stabilised at just below its $3.40 per share takeover offer, indicating the market is backing Baosteel and Aurizon to succeed with their $1.4 billion takeover.
Technically, Baosteel's $1.4 billion bid for control of Perth-based Aquila Resources is an iron ore deal; but looked at slightly differently and it's also a gold deal, because the Chinese steel gia
Baosteel and Aurizon look set to gain control of Aquila Resources after the iron ore hopeful rejected a takeover proposal from Mineral Resources, and instead recommended its shareholders accept the current $3.40 per share offer.
Aquila Resources and Mineral Resources placed their shares in a trading halt this morning, ahead of an announcement regarding a “potential corporate transaction”, due Wednesday.
In the latest twist for takeover target Aquila Resources, suitor Baosteel said it would not increase its $1.4 billion offer for the iron ore developer and that it would reconsider its 20 per cent shareholding in the company if the bid was unsuccessful.
Mineral Resources announced today that it plans to use its 12 per cent stake in Aquila Resources to push for a role building and operating the proposed $7 billion West Pilbara iron ore project.
The takeover bid for Aquila Resources took an unexpected turn today when a mystery buyer, believed to be Mineral Resources, spent about $192 million buying a large stake in the Perth company, paying well above the bid price.
One month after the state government named an Asciano-led consortium as preferred proponent for a major port expansion at Esperance, it has emerged that one of the key consortium members has withdrawn.
